Back pain and sciatic pain are common complaints during pregnancy. Fortunately, physical therapy is available to help pregnant patients with these conditions. Physical therapists trained in women’s health issues, can instruct prenatal patients with safe and appropriate exercises on land and/or in the pool. Learning safe exercises can decrease the mom-to-be’s stress level and improve overall physical mobility. Education on proper posture, proper supports to the joints, and proper body mechanics (learning safe ways to move to...

As residents of our community begin to focus on the goals of the Transform Rockford movement, the issue of community health improvement is beginning to come into clearer focus. For all the daunting work necessary to make our community one of the best in our country, the issue of health improvement could not be any easier. It’s what we’ve been saying at FitMe Wellness for the three years we’ve been in business. Move more. Eat better. It may sound overly simplistic, but it is the truth. If members of our community made the...

1) Get Started. The single most important part of wellness is simply getting started. Everything else will follow. The self satisfaction that comes from just getting going will motivate you to keep going. You’ll feel better about yourself, your appearance, and most importantly, how you feel. Build from this starting point. Stop saying “I’m going to start tomorrow.” Or “I’m going to start Monday.” Stop it. Start moving more and eating better today! 2) Get Moving. Humans are made to move. ...

Let’s face it. Most of us don’t want to exercise (or look) like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Most traditional strength training focuses on isolating muscle groups to create clear muscle definition. I would argue that the vast majority of us who are looking to get fit and stay healthy are more interested in building strength for real life (i.e. lifting children, groceries, etc.) than looking like the Terminator. Doing strength training correctly is vital to achieve all around functional health. One method of strength training that we...

The weather is finally warming, the sun is out, the birds are chirping, and neighbors are finally seeing each other again out and about after a very long winter. So May seems a fitting month to celebrate National Physical Fitness & Sports Month. The President’s Council on Fitness, Sport, and Nutrition is rolling out a nationwide campaign to get our fellow American’s moving. And let’s admit it. After months of sitting indoors, taking an after dinner walk, a bike ride, or doing a little gardening sounds amazing....

Some people enter a room of strangers with no trepidation. For the rest of us, we feel a little jittery. Or maybe it’s just me. I was content to “network” via my computer from the safety of my desk chair. I’m quite charming and clever when I craft an email. Introducing myself in the flesh to people I’ve never met is not my strong suit. But my biz coach instructed me to get out there in person and start telling people what I do. Lucky for me, people are interested in books, editing, and publishing. I discovered that I didn’t have to talk about...